Plantago lanceolata

Taxobox
name = Ribwort Plantain

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image_width = 250px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Lamiales
familia = Plantaginaceae
genus = "Plantago"
species = "P. lanceolata"
binomial = "Plantago lanceolata"
binomial_authority = L.

Ribwort Plantain ("Plantago lanceolata"), also called English Plantain, is a plant of genus "Plantago". It is a common weed of cultivated land.

The plant is a rosette-forming perennial herb, with leafless, silky, hairy flower stems (10-40cm). The basal leaves are lanceolate spreading or erect, scarcely-toothed with 3-5 strong parallel veins narrowed to short petiole. Grouping leaf stalk deeply furrowed, oblong grouping of many small flowers each with a pointed bract. Flowers 4 mm (calyx green, corolla brownish), 4 bent back lobes with brown midribs, long white stamens. Found in British Isles, scarce on acidic soils (pH < 4.5). An invasive weed in North America.

History

Considered to be an indicator of agriculture in pollen diagrams, "P. lanceolata" has been found in western Norway from the Early Neolithic onwards. Something that is considered to be an indicator of grazing in that area. [Hjelle, K.L., Hufthammer, A.K., and Bergsvik, K.A. 2006. Hesitant hunters: a review of the introduction of agriculture in western Norway. "Environmental Archaeology" 11 (2): 147-170]

Uses

Plantago lanceolata is used frequently in tisanes and other herbal remedies. It is also used in many beverages (eg Bio Alp Tea by Val plantes) [ [http://www.valplantes.ch/definition.html Val plantes herbal ice tea] ] and even tarts [ [http://www.farmersalmanac.com/newsletters/archival/FATV_JUN_Newsletter.pdf Plantain tarts] ]

References